Meet Brenna Geehan

Cynthia: I’m always looking for fabulous female inspiration. Brenna is the epitome of the divine feminine; strong, soft, sweet, courageous, fun, intelligent and an amazing translator of the teachings.

How do you know each other?

Cynthia: I am so lucky to have studied and worked with Brenna at Moksha Yoga Center in Chicago.

How long have you known each other?

Cynthia: About seven years.

What do you have in common?

Cynthia: Tantra;) It sounds more exotic than it is. Brenna is a level II Para Yoga teacher through Yogarupa Rod Stryker. The foundation of my practice and teaching comes from the Himalayan Institute and the teachings of Swami Rama.

What do you admire in each other?

Cynthia: When I think of a “cool” woman, I think of Brenna! For realz.

Share your inspiration with us, Brenna:

When and where are you most inspired?

Those moments that I wake up a little more to my inner joy and feel my connection to my highest self. My highest self is the part of me that is playful and does not take herself so seriously! I remember that this life is best lived as a playful process.

If you could inspire one change in yourself, what would it be?

My memory would be perfect. I have moments of absolute clarity and understanding of how perfect everyone and everything is, including myself. And then I have moments that I forget and I start doubting everyone and everything, including myself.

If you could inspire one change in the world, what would it be?

I would love to see an actual shift in our Military- industrial- congressional complex.

Where do you look for inspiration in your daily life?

First, I am inspired by my own body and my own skin. Literally by feeling my nakedness everyday, experiencing the joy of being embodied and watching myself breathe. Second, I look to my partner. He makes me laugh all the time. Third, I look to my community of artists, writers, friends, colleagues. I love seeing what everyone is doing!

Who inspires you?

Where do I begin? My partner, my friends, my teacher, my family…. Nature. I don’t need to look to far outside of myself to be fully amazed by the journey called Life.

Want to share a quote or a poem or a song lyric that inspires you?

This being human is a guest house

Every morning a new arrival.

A joy, a depression, a meanness,

some momentary awareness comes

as an unexpected visitor.

Welcome and entertain them all!

Even if they are a crowd of sorrows,

who violently sweep your house

empty of its furniture,

still treat each guest honorably.

He may be clearing you out for some new delight.

The dark thought, the shame, the malice,

meet them at the door laughing,

and invite them in.

Be grateful for whoever comes,

because each has been sent

as a guide from beyond.

~Rumi

Tell us about your work:

What job | project | goal are you working on now?In the process of finding new ways to make teaching yoga a more viable career for everyone.

What is your “why” behind it? I live in one of the most expensive cities in the world and I see teaching yoga as a branch of social work. Social work is key component to society and yet everywhere, social workers are underpaid.

What should people know about your work?Yoga practice is for everyone and every body. And yoga is modified for everyone according to their current stage of life. Everyone needs yoga. Not only do we need to stay healthy and lithe but it removes fear. As we get older, the trend is to become even more fearful. I want everyone to know they can change that trend.

How can we support you and your work?

I definitely see Yoga in School as a brilliant idea. I think it would help if all communities brought yoga to their schools. Imagine what it would be like if we all heading into the adult life as calm and emotionally intelligent beings that communicated consciously!

How do you balance work and play?

I have a hard time with it but the worst thing is getting down on myself about not being able to do it. What I find helpful is really being present in the moments of play instead worrying about work.

Tell us about your mindfulness practice.

Who are your teachers?

Rod Stryker of ParaYoga and author of The Four Desires. And everything. Everything can be seen as a tool to thrive.

Why is mindfulness important to you?

Without it, I would succumb to fear and cynicism.

How does being mindful affect your daily living?

It keeps me in a state of wonder and curiosity so that my perspective broadens rather than contracts.

What are the biggest challenges to mindful living?

There are none. If you are mindful, challenges are seen as adventures.

Can you share some of your mindfulness tips with us? 1. Breathe while placing your hands on your belly. It helps me feel calm and ready at the same time. 2. Laugh at and with yourself. A lot! 3. Stop making things harder by saying they’re hard.

4. Stop taking things personally.

5. Stop judging others and yourself.

6. Show up. When someone is speaking to you, Listen. And when you lose focus, be honest. All of us are being bombarded with a million distractions. Simply ask them to repeat…. as often as you need it.

Thank you both for the inspiration. xo, muse

About Muse

Muse is a source of inspiration, a heartbeat, a movement, a call to action, a question, an answer, support, celebration, nourishment, a standing ovation, a sense of wonder, a platform, an invitation, a conversation, a voice…your voice, our collective voice.